From California State University to Bowling Green State University, and now Howard University, President Sidney A. Ribeau has found a place to call home.
“I was selected out of 187 applicants,” Ribeau said. “I immediately thought about the students, how to help the university, and becoming a part of the surrounding community.”
Ribeau said he never aspired to become the president of an institution. “When I was young, I had the dreams of becoming a football player,” he said. “Not until my junior year of college I had a conversation with my mother and I decided to become a sociology teacher.”
After Ribeau finished his undergraduate studies, he had intentions of going to law school, but went to Cal State University to teach as a sociology professor. Ribeau later became president of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio for 13 years.
At Bowling Green, Ribeau accomplished and established effective programs.
He built research centers that allowed students to research products that would assist in the cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Faculty had offices in the residence halls, as a means for st udents to meet one on one with their professors in their environment. New buildings were established, such as a new performing arts studio and athletic training facility.
Now at Howard, Ribeau plans to implement some of his ideas from Bowling Green. One of them is the Students First Initiative. “This will improve the quality and services of the students and getting students involved in undergrad research,” Ribeau said. “Also helping students transition from service to academic prowess, and I want to create an environment where everyone feels valued.”
Ribeau plans to continue growing the area of need-based financial aid and the improvement of academic programs through a program called the Academic Renewal Initiative.
Through assessments, the program will be able to assist in the areas of certain academic programs that need improvement. “We will be reviewing if students are interested in the programs, enrollment, ability to get jobs,” Ribeau said. “This will also include the alignment of the programs to the institution.”
When Ribeau is not being president, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children. His favorite movies are “The Matrix 1, 2 and 3.” He said he has watched “The Matrix 1” seven times. Ribeau said he enjoys this classic movie because the underdog triumphs against “insurmountable odds.”
“I am basically who I appear to be,” Ribeau said. This semester, Ribeau plans to visit some of the residence halls and once a month, open his office doors to students who want to drop by and talk. “Some students have been trying to get me to ‘tweet,’ he said.
Joshua Corchado, a senior audio production major, said Ribeau is more personable than former president H. Patrick Swygert. “I feel he connects with the students and that is what every university should have,” said Corchado.
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